Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Back in September 2001, we reported on a California employer that was hit with a $30 million lawsuit after one of its employees struck and killed a teenager while driving and using a cell phone. Now the employee, a former attorney, has been ordered to pay $2 million to the family of the teenager, Naeun […]
The largest single settlement Cal/ OSHA ever collected—$462,000—was for a work-related fire. In 1999, Tosco Refining Co. was cited for 33 alleged violations of state workplace safety regulations as a result of a fatal fire at its Avon plant near Martinez. Thankfully, most workplaces won’t experience such tragedies, but even so, OSHA reports that workplace […]
Salem-Keizer Yellow Cab Co., in Salem, Ore., purchased a new automobile liability insurance policy for $10,000 less than its existing auto policy. Yellow Cab probably figured it was making a smart, money-saving move by switching insurance carriers. But, as we’ll explain, the net cost was an expensive age discrimination lawsuit.
A SIMPLE IRA Plan Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers allows employees and employers to contribute to individual employee retirement accounts. As the name implies, it’s a simplified plan geared toward small employers, which means it’s relatively easy to set up and operate, with lower administrative costs than for more complicated types […]
The Department of Labor recently issued final changes to the white-collar overtime exemption rules under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The new regulations take effect Aug. 23, 2004.
Some banks charge a paycheck-cashing fee to employees who don’t hold accounts with them. But the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) now says this practice may be illegal. We’ll give you tips on how to steer clear of this problem.
Many small-business owners both administer and participate in pension plans covered by the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act (ERISA). But the courts have been split as to whether business owners qualify as participants under ERISA and are entitled to the same legal protections as employees, including protection from creditors in the event of bankruptcy. […]
Appliance installer Morton Wong injured his elbow while employed at Crown Appliance in Modesto. Wong claimed he always had a good working relationship with Crown’s owner, Mary Sanchez, but that things went downhill when he returned to work following the injury. Eventually, the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) found that Crown illegally discriminated against Wong […]
A new ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal, which covers California, focuses on when small employers may have to comply with the WARN Act—which requires advance notice to employees of plant closings or mass layoffs. We’ll take a look at what happened. Big Layoff Darby Lumber Inc. (DLI) operated a lumber mill and […]
The Small Business Administration has partnered with insurer Nationwide to publish a guide to inform business owners about their pension plan options and compliance responsibilities. The guide includes information on: how to determine whether to offer a plan and what type of plan to offer; fiduciary responsibilities; and how to find a qualified pension plan […]